Chapter Three:

Books and Blueprints

"Turn to chapter three in your literature textbooks..."

Victoria eagerly turned the pages of her book ready to begin the last lesson of the day. Ever since her parents, the king and queen allowed her to attend school with other children, she's been on top of the world.

Naveen had been reluctant allowing her to attend school outside of the hired tutors inside of the palace, mainly because of tradition, but after a bit of Tiana's persistence as well as Victoria's, the king eventually agreed...but on one condition, that the little princess was enrolled at the most prestigious private school in the country...The Gilda Beatriz Academy for Girls.

"Victoria!" whispered Agatha

The princess glanced over at her friend who sat right behind her.

"Which chapter did she say?"

"Three."

"Agatha.."

The girl quickly turned around to see the instructor staring at her. "Yes Madame Fuente?"

"Please do not talk while class is in session."

"Yes Madame." she replied a little sad that she was called out

Victoria was confused as to why their teacher didn't say anything to her as well.

Ding dong.

The older woman glanced at the wall clock that hung in front of the room.

"Oh, we have run out of time for today. We will continue tomorrow morning! Class dismissed."

All of the uniformed girls stood from their desks to put away their supplies, some leaving others mingling.

"I'm sorry.." said Agatha

"It's alright."

"I told her to start paying more attention!" exclaimed Agnes

"Be quiet I do pay attention!" Agatha defended "My high marks in mathematics is enough proof.."

Victoria sighed at the freckled faced red heads arguing. For them to be twins they sure always picked on each other a lot... they were worse than her brothers.

"Are you both going to disagree about this..because" began the princess

"I hope not."

All three girls turned to see one of their classmates, Daniela walking towards them smiling.

Both Agnes and Agatha instantly stopped talking wondering what she was up to.

"I hope you enjoyed your first week here at Gilda Beatriz Academy. It's an honor to share lessons with the princess herself!"

Victoria simply smiled "I have actually, thank you."

"Your birthday party was amazing too, thanks for inviting me!

The blonde really couldn't remember her being there, but didn't want to let her know that "Oh yeah, no problem thanks for coming.."

"Victoria are you coming up to our room?" interrupted Agnes "Our parents just sent us brand new silk slippers from China!"

"Your highness your escort has arrived." alerted Madame Fuente standing at the door with a guard waiting to walk the princess to her private car

"I can't today guys." Victoria said hugging her friends before walking towards the door, stopping in her tracks

"What is your name?" She said walking over to the brown haired girl again, holding her hand out "I'm Victoria De Santiago."

"I'm well aware of who you are your highness." The girl smiled shaking the princess's hand "I'm Daniela Gaspar."

"Nice to meet you."

"That is your last beignet for today." Tiana told her youngest son after he stuffed his mouth with another sweet pastry.

All of the children and Tiana were out enjoying their lunch in the gardens while Naveen was out conducting business in a neighboring city.

"Aw mama!" he whined

"Mama can you make more beignets?" asked Sebastian "I would like to help you."

"Not today." she said as she gathered everyone's plates along with the basket that held the food "Perhaps tomorrow, y'all shouldn't eat so many at one time."

"But they are so good!" countered James "I could eat a thousand!"

"Too many sweets aren't good for growing boys' tummies..." she kissed him on the cheek

"But papa is big and strong and you pack him a dozen beignets!" reminded Julian

"Yes but I only pack that many for his long trips." she smiled

"Can we go play now?" asked Gabriel

"Go ahead but be careful! I don't need any more broken bones around here."

All four boys took off to race each other while Victoria watched as her mother and a few servants began to clean the table.

"What's going on baby?" Tiana asked "How was school?"

"It was great!" she stood "I made a new friend. Her name is Daniela."

"That's swell baby." Tiana replied walking them over to the gazebo "So do you like this form of school rather than having a tutor like your brothers?"

"Oh do I! she exclaimed "I love it! I wish I could have my own chambers there like Agnes and Agatha too."

"I'm glad that you love it, but your friends and other students only stay there because their parents aren't able to take care of them while they work far away."

Victoria realized that and understood. "Could I invite them over to stay the night one day?"

Tiana thought for a moment "I don't see why not? But you'd still have to ask your daddy and get your friends parents permission as well..."

"Okay!" she hugged her mother "I can't wait!" she said running back inside the palace

"Wait, where are you going?"

"To start on my homework mama!" she waved to her

"Alright baby." Tiana smiled knowingly of her daughter's love for learning. Especially in the subject of anything literature.

Victoria zoomed past the corner that led to the library when she bumped into her Grandmother.

The blonde looked up from the floor , to see an annoyed Salome staring down at her. "Ss-sorry grandmother."

"Watch where you're going!" she hissed "These halls aren't built for running..."

Victoria was frozen, not knowing what to say

"Stand up when I'm talking to you."

The young girl stood, with Salome eying her. "Where are you running to?"

"The library...to study."

"What for?" she smirked "You will never put the knowledge to use."

That statement upset her "Yes I will!"

"No you won't...not as a 'll be much too busy when you're older."

She shook her head "I can do both!"

The old woman frowned "We'll see about that."

Victoria didn't know what to do, so she quickly walked away from her, eventually running again until she reached the library, shutting the huge doors behind her.

She was confused about what her grandmother just told her, she was always that way towards her, but this time she felt more angst than anything.

The antique royal library was quiet as usual with thousands of books, journals, and novels to choose from. It always made the little princess' heart swell with excitement whenever she entered.

She glanced around the huge room, trying to remember the book she needed, but her thoughts were blocked by her grandmother's hurtful words towards her.

'You will never put that knowledge to good use'

The young girl pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind as she climbed the tall shelf ladder to reach the required encyclopedia needed for her classwork. She grabbed the book of "H" for Hamlet as they were studying the writer in class.

Her vision became blurred by forming tears, it was hard trying to get back down the tall ladder, she grew afraid as she felt her foot slip causing her to drop the large book onto the floor.

She let out a short yelp, as she held onto the ladder with one hand attempting to get her footing back, but her slippery dress shoes wouldn't allow it. Her heart stopped as she lost her balance falling back towards the cold marble floor, until familiar arms broke her fall.

"Victoria what were you thinking?" shouted Naveen holding her in his arms "Why were you up there?"

The blonde didn't know how to react as she burst into tears, crying into her father's chest. She knew that this could have ended badly too.

"I-I'm sorry papa."

He sighed rubbing her back until she was calm before setting her feet on the floor. "Why were you on the ladder without someone assisting you?"

She wiped her eyes, remembering Salome's outburst.

"I didn't want to bother anyone else."

"I have hired people to run this palace for a reason Victoria. You should know this, you could've gotten hurt.."

"I know papa." she said looking down "It was an accident."

"Don't let it happen again." he said sternly looking around the quiet library "Where is your mother?"

She picked up the heavy encyclopedia from the floor "With the boys, in the gardens."

"How about we meet them out there?" he smiled, his hand smoothing out her wild curls "and...surprise them with gelato?"

The little girl laughed "I would love to papa, but I really need to start my homework."

The king smirked, he wasn't surprised by that at all "You're choosing school over dessert again? That's my girl!"

"After I finish!" she assured "Give me two hours, tops!"

"Tiana's Palace in Germany is now in the process of land surveying your majesty!" exclaimed Cristobal "Your team of experts are now searching for the perfect city to build in!"

The new queen and her assistant were in her office meeting about expanding more restaurants and conversing about the success of them all. She had just met with her accountant earlier.

Tiana brightened at the fact "That's wonderful! I can't believe that it's finally happening, and no more your majesty talk. Just call me Tiana."

The assistant nodded "After it's built that will make six locations for you! The United States would be a great new space to begin looking at as well."

Tiana's stomach felt tied up in knots "Oh? What cities are inquiring?"

Cristobal flipped a few pages in his notes "Let's see, St. Louis, Chicago, New York City, and New Orleans.."

The young queen shifted in her chair after hearing the last city. She didn't know why she felt so strange talking about the United States. "New Orleans?"

"Indeed your majesty, I mean Tiana. Since your restaurants serve traditional southern, Creole and Cajun cuisine, I figured it would be a perfect location!"

"I don't know.." she exhaled "America is so far from here.."

"A four day ship ride is all!" reassured Cristobal "This will be a marvelous opportunity for-"

"I don't want a restaurant in New Orleans!" she snapped before instantly regretting her outburst "Cristobal, I'm sorry.."

"No it's alright." Confused, he saw that the young queen was on the verge of crying "Would you like for me to leave?"

Tiana nodded her head "Yes, we will meet again in a few days."

As soon as she heard the door close, she instantly burst into tears. Tiana couldn't understand why talking about something as simple as New Orleans had her so emotional.

"Get it together Tiana, ya just can't be cryin' whenever you feel like it." she said to herself

"There you are.." said Naveen walking into her office grinning

She quickly tried to wipe her face before turning towards her husband "You're back early."

"Turns out the meeting was just signing bills and documents all day." he wrapped his arms around her "How are you?"

Tiana closed her eyes, trying to pull herself together "I'm fine, you hungry?"

"For food no. But for you...always." he kissed her neck

She sighed as she hugged him tightly "I'm glad you're here."

Naveen instantly grew concerned "Tiana what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just hold me."

He wanted to ask again if she was alright, but decided not to. Naveen didn't want to upset her more.

"Let's take a walk through the private gardens, or would you rather lie down in our suite?"

She smiled a bit looking up at him "A walk would be nice."

Naveen gently took her hand as he led them down the corridor "Let's go."